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Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2015 2:00 pm
by Zebedee
So the near side headlight bulb went out and after help from Max BMW I've replaced it, however still no light. The original bulb was clearly broken on the filament so no reason to suspect anything else. I bought a twin pack of replacement H7 bulbs and have tried both, thinking one may be faulty but not both. Anyone got a fix or am I off to be fleeced at the dealers. Any and all help will be much appreciated.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 3:31 pm
by guest2360
If its the bulb gone you get a warning on the dash. If you haven't got that and the bulb socket looks OK I don't think you have much choice but ask your local friendly dealer to have a look.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 4:31 pm
by T6pilot
I'am going to ask silly question, try hi beams
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 5:04 pm
by guest2360
T6pilot wrote:
I'am going to ask silly question, try hi beams
Done think that will help as its a separate centre bulb.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:06 pm
by Zebedee
Problem solved, I was introduced to an old chap expert in all things BMW. He told me that the boxers don't like cheap bulbs and insisted that I visit Halfords and pay £ 9.99 for a proper bulb. Guess what? It worked. Seems the beemers are fussy about resistance and such. Moral of the story, buy cheap, buy twice.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 7:46 pm
by stelyn
Would'nt have guessed that one, glad you got it sorted..... 
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:09 pm
by guest2360
Zebedee wrote:
Problem solved, I was introduced to an old chap expert in all things BMW. He told me that the boxers don't like cheap bulbs and insisted that I visit Halfords and pay £ 9.99 for a proper bulb. Guess what? It worked. Seems the beemers are fussy about resistance and such. Moral of the story, buy cheap, buy twice.
You saved a bit had you of course bought one instead of three . Ones in BMW boxes are about £12.00, Osram I think. You only have to put them in once though.
RH headlight bulb replaced today!
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 4:45 pm
by Mark05RT
....but boy, did I make heavy weather of it!
For info....used an OTS H7 @ £6 from the local car spares....worked a treat but what a job replacing it!
Thought initially I'd get away without removing the fairing panel. I was wrong on that score of course.
Tried, centre stand, side stand, sitting on, kneeling on the floor.
Thought I'd check out MAX BMW on You Tube. Interesting but it's easy with the headlight unit on the work bench!
Eventually, after dropping the bulb inside the unit, TWICE! And about 30 minutes of fairly blue language, I did it....from the front reaching under and to the back of the unit.
Simple job in the end.... But how many more out there suffered the same sore and scrapped back of hands!
Please tell me I'm not alone on that! And please tell me there's an easier way!
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:33 pm
by Catfunt
It's a fiddly s.o.b. for sure. Luckily they don't go that often (touch wood!!)
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:40 pm
by Levisp
I know what you mean. I have just replaced my indicator and tail stop bulbs for leds on my ST1300. The rear indicators you get to from under the pillion seat. Turn 90 degrees anti-clockwise and remove. Sure very funny ! It took me 2 hours to do the rear indicators. The jobs done but my hands were sore. However I now have led lights which are much brighter and should last. Still not quite as good as my RT lights but much better than original.
So your not alone. Have not replaced any bulbs on my RT yet but I'm sure looking forward to it.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 5:47 pm
by guest2360
If its any constellation to those yet to do it, the left band one in no trouble at all. It's the cruise control box that makes things difficult.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 9:18 am
by David.
Removing the Upper Fairing Panel (4 Screws), certainly makes access a lot easier.
This video shows the bulb being replaced without removing the Panel,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuvgi7Xt45E
I'd agree about the cheap bulb scenario, it does seem to be false economy, had several "pop" myself before investing in better quality, more expensive bulbs.
The failures always seemed to occur when hitting the "Start Button" & on the LHS, don't remember having to change a RHS bulb.
Re: Near side headlight bulb replacement
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 11:36 pm
by Bikerman1042
Zebedee wrote:
So the near side headlight bulb went out and after help from Max BMW I've replaced it, however still no light. The original bulb was clearly broken on the filament so no reason to suspect anything else. I bought a twin pack of replacement H7 bulbs and have tried both, thinking one may be faulty but not both. Anyone got a fix or am I off to be fleeced at the dealers. Any and all help will be much appreciated.
Using a bulb mounted in a holder check for a voltage ie an illuminated bulb. Work back along the harness until you find the fault. It is usually either a poor connection or a broken cable. In this case you can use a continuity tester to check continuity of the cable lefty and a needle with one of the leads attached to it can be used were the feeder cable disappears into a harness
Bikerman1042